I'm not going to gloat over Lord Browne's resignation from BP. It's sad when a gay man feels he has to lie about his private life.

But equally I'm going to make the point that it's power arising from excessive remuneration and over-inflated status that give rise to the arrogant assumption that it was acceptable to lie to a judge.

I am pleased Lord Browne has forfeited his bonuses from BP s a result. He had not earned much of them anyway.

I admit I think two further things should follow. The first is expulsion from the House of Lords. The second is prosecution. An example has to be set. Honesty is the only standard that is acceptable in public life. Lying to a judge falls well below that required standard.